OBJECTIVE
To understand the force of Honor in the Homeric world and learn the basic setting of the Iliad, including the plot and characters.
DIRECTIONS
After completing the readings listed on the Chapter 4 Overview page, please provide clear and well supported answers, in your own words, to the following questions. Please number your answers.
What is the main cause of war between the Greeks (aka Achaeans, Argives, Danaans) and the Trojans?
Which goddesses/gods support the Greeks? Which ones support the Trojans?
Based on what you read in the article “The Homeric Society”, how would you define, in your own words, honor in the context of this ancient culture? To answer this, think about how honor is built in relation to war, glory and possessions. Be sure to use any key new vocabulary important to the understanding of this issue in your answers/explanations. Look for the terms in bold letters.
How is the quarrel between Agamemnon and Achilles related to this ancient code of honor described in the Homeric Society article?
The “Arrows of Apollo” are used by Homer as a metaphor for what?
Do the Greeks depend on the gods for moral guidance? Explain. Be sure to use supporting details from your sources. Please be sure to carefully consider your answer. Use the sources to form a well structured answer.
Watch the video below. Identify and describe at least three parts of the Hero Cycle (Links to an external site.) that match the life of Achilles.Video (Links to an external site.)
NOT REQUIRED BUT ENCOURAGED
The 2004 film Troy is an adaptation of the Iliad. It tells the story of Helen, Paris, Agamemnon, Priam, Achilles and Hector in a much more concentrated manner. You are not required to read the Iliad for this class so the film version is an acceptable way to access a version of this great epic poem. There is also a series on Netflix called Troy: Fall of a City that highlights parts of this story. It is interesting to see how different mediums such as film and television recreate these ancient stories. You can also watch the series The Great Greek Myths – The Iliad (Links to an external site.) from the Films On Demand database, part of the Valencia Library databases.
WRITING DIRECTIONS
Your paper should be double-spaced.
Please number your answers.
Your paper needs to be formatted according to MLA style. Some of this includes using a 12pt. font and setting 1 margins all the way around. There are many good online resources for formatting papers according to MLA (see Start Here Buttonmodule for the some good writing resources).
Be sure to submit the paper before the deadline (see syllabus policy).
Type up your answers using one of these file formats – .doc, .docx, or .rtf